SIP Trunking: What It Is and How to Use It

17 January, 2024

SIP trunks are virtual phone lines that operate over the Internet using the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) VoIP (Voice over IP) technology. A SIP trunk is the modern equivalent of a digital trunk from the old PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network).

Years ago, businesses would purchase analog or digital phone lines (E1 or PRI) from a telecommunications provider and connect them to an on-premises PBX (Private Branch Exchange), the physical system that managed all office phone calls. Today, instead of relying on traditional telecom services, companies can subscribe to a SIP trunking service through their Internet Service Provider (ISP) and connect it to a VoIP/IP PBX—either hosted in their office or in the cloud.

The term “trunk” comes from traditional telephony and refers to a group of phone lines working together. Not all SIP trunks are the same—some still rely on physical connections to the office, as offered by providers like Claro or Movistar. Others are fully cloud-based, meaning they function as an internet service without being tied to any physical infrastructure or specific location.

Fixed SIP

La Troncal SIP fija es un servicio que ofrecen los proveedores de telecomunicaciones, usualmente a través de un canal de fibra óptica que va de sus instalaciones hasta tu oficina, y para acceder al servicio necesitas conexión física a un equipo instalado por el proveedor.

Esta opción es ideal si tus comunicaciones operan desde un equipo instalado en tus oficinas, mas no es el ideal para operar tus comunicaciones desde la nube, ya que tendrías que enviar las llamadas desde tu oficina al Internet lo cual es completamente posible pero va a requerir de algunos ajustes adicionales.

Mobile or Virtual SIP Trunk: Flexible and Scalable Business Communicatio

A Mobile SIP Trunk is a fully virtual telephony service provided over the internet. It functions just like a fixed SIP trunk but without requiring a physical fiber-optic connection or on-premises hardware. Instead, it is delivered as a cloud-based service, offering businesses greater flexibility and mobility.

One of the key advantages of a mobile SIP trunk is that it can be accessed from anywhere—not just from a specific location where the provider has installed its equipment. This makes it the perfect solution for companies using a cloud-based virtual PBX, as no additional hardware is needed. Simply configure it, and you’re ready to go.

What Do You Need to Use a SIP Trunk in Your Business?

Essential Requirements to Use a SIP Trunk in Your Business

  • To fully leverage the benefits of a SIP trunk, you will need:

    • A PBX system with SIP support – Whether on-premises or cloud-based, your phone system must be compatible with SIP trunking.
    • A reliable internet connection – Required if you are using a virtual SIP trunk, ensuring stable and high-quality voice communication.
    • SIP-enabled phones – While not mandatory, SIP phones maximize the flexibility and mobility of your SIP trunking setup, allowing seamless VoIP communication.

To connect a SIP trunk to your PBX system, it must support the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), the standard VoIP protocol used for establishing and managing voice communications over the internet.

If your PBX is on-premises (a physical device installed in your office), you need to ensure that it is SIP-compatible. However, if you are using a cloud-based PBX, it is almost certain that it already supports SIP, making integration seamless and straightforward.

How to Connect a SIP Trunk to an On-Premises PBX

If your on-premises PBX supports SIP, you can connect the SIP trunk through your local area network (LAN)—the same network that links your computers.

For a fixed SIP trunk connection, you will need:

  • SIP trunk credentials provided by your telecom provider.
  • Physical connection to your LAN, ensuring the PBX can communicate with the SIP trunk.
  • Network configuration adjustments, which may require assistance from your IT or network administrator to set up firewall rules, NAT settings, and QoS optimizations.

The setup process typically follows a standard configuration similar to the diagram below, ensuring secure and reliable communication between your PBX and the SIP provider.

If you are connecting an on-premises PBX to a virtual SIP trunk, the setup is even simpler. You only need:

  • Internet access for your PBX to connect to the SIP service.
  • SIP service address provided by your virtual SIP trunk provider.

However, security considerations are crucial. Since your communications will traverse the public internet, you must take precautions to prevent unauthorized access and cyber threats. It’s highly recommended to consult with an expert before exposing SIP services directly to the internet.

A typical connection to a virtual SIP trunk follows a secure setup, ensuring encrypted communication and proper firewall configurations, as shown in the following diagram.

A virtual SIP trunk is easier to use, as it does not rely on on-premises hardware and can be easily moved or reconfigured as needed. Its cloud-based nature provides greater flexibility, scalability, and cost efficiency, making it an ideal solution for businesses looking for a modern and adaptable communication system.

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How to Connect a SIP Trunk to a Cloud-Based PBX

If you’re using a cloud-based PBX like Audara DreamPBX, integrating a virtual SIP trunk is seamless and highly efficient. Since your PBX operates entirely in the cloud and is accessible from anywhere, there’s no need for on-premises hardware—only a secure and properly configured connection.

To ensure a reliable and secure setup, consider the following:

  • Correct SIP trunk configuration with the credentials provided by your service provider.
  • Robust security measures, including authentication, encryption, and firewall rules, to safeguard your communications.
  • Expert guidance from your network administrator and cloud service provider to prevent vulnerabilities and optimize performance.

A typical connection between a virtual SIP trunk and a cloud-based PBX is straightforward. However, security configurations—such as access controls and traffic encryption—should always be in place, even if they are not shown in simplified diagrams.

If you have a cloud-based PBX, meaning it operates entirely over the internet and can be accessed from anywhere, integrating a virtual SIP trunk becomes a straightforward process. Unlike traditional setups, this connection does not require any physical hardware—only a secure and properly configured access.

To ensure a safe and efficient integration, consider the following:

  • Proper SIP trunk configuration using the credentials provided by your service provider.
  • Strong security measures, including authentication, encryption, and firewall settings, to protect your communications.
  • Expert consultation with your network administrator and cloud service provider to optimize performance and prevent vulnerabilities.

A typical connection between a virtual SIP trunk and a cloud PBX follows a simple structure. However, for clarity, security components have been omitted from the following diagram, though they remain essential for protecting your call traffic.

While both fixed and virtual SIP trunks can be used effectively, integrating a virtual SIP trunk is often the easiest and most advantageous option when working with a cloud-based PBX. Its flexibility, scalability, and lack of physical infrastructure make it the preferred choice for many businesses.

However, there are specific scenarios where a fixed SIP trunk may be the better option, just as there are cases where a virtual SIP trunk is the ideal solution. Let’s explore some typical use cases to understand when each type is most beneficial.

In practice, choosing the right SIP trunk depends on your specific business needs. If you already have physical phone lines in your office and want to retain your existing number—especially if it’s well-known to your customers—a fixed SIP trunk may be the best option. On the other hand, if you’re launching a new service, opting for a virtual SIP trunk can be faster, easier, and more flexible.

Changing your business phone number isn’t always advisable, as it may disrupt customer communication. However, virtual SIP trunks offer a significant advantage: the ability to acquire local or international phone numbers (DIDs), allowing your business to establish a global presence without major costs. For example, you could have a primary number in Mexico, an alternative number in Miami, and another in Spain, all seamlessly managed from your main office. To maximize these benefits, check with your provider about virtual DID services.

Both virtual PBXs and cloud-based contact centers, such as those offered by Audara, support fixed and virtual SIP trunks, ensuring complete flexibility. If you need expert advice to choose the best option for your business, feel free to reach out—we’ll be happy to help!

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